Massachusetts: Is This Really Our Best Gas Station Food Spot?
In a recent feature by USA Today’s 10BEST, numerous gas station food chains across America were highlighted for the tasty items they are cooking up. There was just one problem, the majority of these chains were based well outside of the Bay State. So, this begs the question, what gas stations have the best food in Massachusetts these days?
10BEST said, in order to qualify for their list, these places were all “serving up delicious food and snacks that make them destinations in and of themselves, from fried chicken and pizza to organic salads and veggie burritos.”
Surprisingly, our local favorite chain Cumberland Farms was nowhere to be found on this list. That might be because this chain is heavily dedicated to New England. In fact, according to data analysis company Scrape Hero, states that 36% of the Cumberland Farms stores are in Massachusetts. That equates to 208 locations. Florida is the only state outside of the northeast region that has Cumberland Farms.
The Best Gas Station Food In Massachusetts According To Mashed
Last year, Mashed did a deep dive into the best gas station food in every state. Though they did include chains (for example, WaWa won in New Jersey) Cumberland Farms was bypassed here as well.
Mashed said that Slice Pizza and More in Wakefield takes the crown. “Instead of letting its pizza languish on shelves or under heat lamps, Slice, Pizza, and More! makes all of its pies fresh to order,” Mashed explained about Slice. They specifically called out their sausage sandwich as an item to try.
When it comes to grabbing a “meal” at a gas station stop in Massachusetts, I admit I have not ventured too far off of a common brand name. However, there was one time en route to a call dealership where I actually did stop at this Slice Pizza and More location. It’s within the Prime gas station, where I stopped to fill up.
Upon going inside to grab a water, I noticed Slice and how their pizza was coming out of a legit oven as opposed to a belt, and it looked very fresh. I asked for a slice of the pepperoni pie that had just come out of the oven and was sitting next to a baked lasagna being prepared.
My conclusion here is that I completely agree with Mashed. This was the best gas station food I had in the state. In part because it was unexpected and had the homemade feel as opposed to your more commonly found fast food item.
4 Great Places To Find Sicilian Pizza In Massachusetts
Leone's - Somerville
Leone’s Pizza and Sub has been family-owned and operated since 1954. They are located right on Broadway and open seven days per week, from 8 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Their Sicilian pizza is the standard menu option here. It is available by the slice, in a half tray or full tray. The whole tray also comes in two boxes (16 slice) and costs $40. Their Sicilian pies also come in a tomato basil option and a spinach and garlic. Leone’s sub menu contains over 30 options. This includes a fried meatball sub.
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Pino's Pizza - Brighton
Right in the heart of Cleveland Circle, Pino’s is a fan-favorite of Boston College students. Though the crust is a perfect combination of pillow and crunch, the secret here is actually in the sauce. Pino’s describes it as “delicious, garlicky tomato sauce with in-house seasoning, cooked on a pan.” $20 gets you nine Sicilian slices at Pino’s. If you want to add variety to your order, they also have alfredo pies, white pies, and buffalo chicken. Like Pinocchio’s, Pino’s stays open until the early morning hours on the weekend to help accommodate the college crowd.
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